Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no further action can be taken on these matters.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for entitlement to higher ratings and earlier effective dates for back disability, neck disability, and headache disability.,The appeal of radiculopathy, left upper extremity, is granted with an effective date of June 4, 2014.

The Veteran's low back condition and migraine disabilities have been rated at 40 percent since January 12, 2018. A TDIU rating has also been granted for the period from September 23, 2011 to January 11, 2018 on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Veteran's low back disability and PTSD have been granted service connection. The right knee disability is being remanded for further development.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran’s low back strain, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain, due to a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA). Service connection has also been granted for her PTSD, which she claims was caused by military sexual trauma during ACDUTRA. The right knee disability is being remanded because additional evidence or clarification is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate January 2019 VA examination, which did not measure limitations in range of motion during flare-ups. The Veteran is requested to provide addendum opinions regarding functional loss and limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The Board denied a schedular rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran’s VA treatment records need to be updated, and he should be provided an opportunity for a VA examination to assess his current disability levels.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right total knee replacement, left shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, right leg disability (radiculopathy), and left leg disability (radiculopathy) due to a lack of evidence showing in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine with degenerative changes and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or neurological impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to determine the functional impact of flare-ups on his right ankle, left knee, right knee, and thoracolumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he has been employed as a commercial delivery truck driver for several years.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been evaluated at the lowest available ratings (10% for each). The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder has also been evaluated at the lowest available rating (10%). The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has vacated the June 2020 decision denying service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability. The case is remanded to determine if there is evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, prostate cancer, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since March 1, 2020. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain is rated at 20 percent, granting an increased rating. Service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities remains unresolved.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his active military service and, if so, whether it is secondary to his service-connected right ankle or lower back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 21, 2015 and 40 percent on and after that date. The appeal for higher ratings has been denied.